Political Pulse: 01.11.09

Republican Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal said Tuesday that he will seek another term, ending speculation that he'd leave office when his term ends in 2010.

He admits there were some moments he wasn't sure if he'd run again.

"I'm 71 years old," Neal said. "You never know how you're going to react to things. If anyone was wondering what I might do, now they know. I plan to be very active."

Democrat County Commissioner Oscar Ortiz, mentioned as a potential opponent, said he is not planning to challenge Neal.

"I never say never, but as of today I'm not in the running," said Ortiz, who is not up for re-election until 2012. "I have had some people ask me, but it's not on my list."

Republican County Commissioner Chuck Cazalas, who is up for re-election in 2010 and has said he wants to be county judge, said he probably won't take on Neal either.

"I am not planning on doing anything to split the party, and I have been approached by Republicans and Democrats encouraging me to do so," Cazalas said. "But we have got to be smart enough to quit fighting amongst ourselves and run it better. More than likely I will not if Loyd runs."

Cazalas said he does plan to run for re-election.

"It will be my last time," he said. "I said I was not going to be a permanent fixture as a county commissioner."

There's talk that Cazalas will have opponents in the primary, including former County Commissioner Joe McComb, who is thinking about running.

Five potential candidates have approached Nueces County Republican Party chairman Mike Bertuzzi to talk about challenging Cazalas, Bertuzzi said.

"It's pretty well known that there are other folks that are out there talking to the Republican base about running in the primary," Bertuzzi said. "There have been people who have blasted Chuck about how he has voted on issues."

Said prominent local Republican Dick Bowers: "Chuck, he's got two years to prove that he's a good conservative member of the Commissioners Court and that he has our interests at heart. I think that if he doesn't prove that he won't be re-elected."

Idea of free tacos draws audience

At District 5 City Councilman Larry Elizondo's re-election announcement at City Hall on Wednesday, stacks of "Elizondo for City Council" shirts were by the door free for the taking.

It was noted prior to Elizondo's speech that Maurice Portis had a jazz band on hand when he announced his at-large City Council candidacy last month. When Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Foster Edwards wandered in for the Elizondo announcement, he joked, "I heard there were free tacos."

Elizondo can't catch a break, even at church

Stumping for the job, Elizondo told the crowd, which included Mayor Henry Garrett and Councilwomen Nelda Martinez and Priscilla Leal, that all of the City Council members and the mayor believe in Corpus Christi.

"This is not where we make our livings but this is where we get the most abuse," Elizondo said.

Seems Elizondo even catches flak when he is at church.

He recounted a story about a recent service where parishioners were supposed to turn to the people around them to shake hands and say, "Peace be with you."

"I turned around and heard, 'When are you going to fix my streets?' instead of 'Peace be with you,' " Elizondo said.

Change of attire prompts amusement

Crystal Lyons, chairwoman of the Regional Transportation Authority board, didn't let some minor changes in fashion go by without comment at Wednesday's meeting.

John Kelley, a member of Bay Area Smart Growth Initiative who was giving a presentation to the board, introduced fellow member David Loeb, who is known for sporting Hawaiian shirts and tennis shoes. On that day, Loeb wore a long-sleeve, light blue dress shirt tucked into his beige pants.

"I'm even wearing real shoes," said Loeb, picking up his foot as proof.

Peña gets e-mail support in contest

Regional Transportation Authority spokeswoman Kristi Peña should get a leg up in the Corpus Christi's Sexiest People 2009 competition from a little tongue-in-cheek lobbying on her behalf. Mark Roach of Dealers Electrical Supply, and a member of the board of Associated Builders and Contractors, has e-mailed a who's who list of South Texas politicians and community leaders asking them to vote for Peña in the online contest.

"This is more important than the presidential election so support Kristi!!!" Roach wrote.

Among those on the e-mail list who also have the distinction of being nominated in the contest: Councilmen Mike Hummell and John Marez, outgoing state Rep. Juan Garcia and Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Chairman Chad Magill.

Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. Contributors include Powell, Fanny Chirinos, Sara Foley and Denise Malan. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@caller.com